The Interior Design Of The 243-Foot-Long Superyacht Cloud 9 Steals The Show In Monaco

Superyacht shoppers may be descending on Fort Lauderdale to see the largest collection of yachts for sale and charter here in the U.S. this weekend, but when it comes to the ultimate superyacht showplace, it’s hard to compete with the Monaco Yacht Show that took place late last month.

And when it comes to learning about one of the largest yachts at the show, it’s pretty hard to compete with the invite I received to tour Cloud 9 with the senior interior designer from Winch Design that was deeply involved with every aspect of Cloud 9’s show-stopping interior design.

A room with a view.

Courtesy CRN

But then again, as I’ve learned over the years cycling hundreds of miles with Winch Design’s Rebecca Johnstone to the Monaco Yacht Show as part of the Blue Marine Foundation’s London to Monaco charity bike ride, Rebecca is a talented interior designer plus a whole lot more.

Cloud 9's interior impresses from every angle.

Courtesy CRN

And she came to work on Cloud 9 because of the close collaboration between the Italian yacht builder CRN, and designers from Zuccon International Project and Winch Design. The technical aspects of the project were developed by the CRN engineering team and the sweeping lines of the yacht’s exterior styling are from the drawing board of Zuccon International Project. Winch Design was appointed to create the exterior guest areas and the interior design.

The bow.

Courtesy CRN

“This client was really a great,” Rebecca tells me as we start our tour in the impressive main saloon. “We’d designed his previous yacht so he said, ‘I like my old boat but I want a 2017 boat. Then he basically handed the reins over to us. We did visuals at the beginning. We showed those to him and he was like, "Yeah, I love it, just get going."

Then it was time to pick the materials and I was saying, ‘Well, do you like this?’

“He said, ‘Well, what do you think?’

“I said, "I love it but I want to make sure you're happy." He was like, "Yeah, get on with it!"

Now, anyone who has ever worked with a superyacht owner can report, this type of green lighting of design ideas is not the norm!

This is what luxury looks like from above.

Courtesy CRN

But then again, with an overall design vision that strikes a perfect balance between interior and exterior spaces, and with a free flowing layout for a relaxed indoor-outdoor living including the private deck forward of the owner’s suite, and the large beach club with extended platform at sea level, it’s not Rebecca was allowed to simply “get on with” the design.

In fact, Winch Design’s imaginative and carefully-chosen details (often chosen by Rebecca) such the soothing color schemes and varied use of oak juxtaposed with mother-of-pearl elements, marine-inspired artwork and unique bas-relief decorations can be found across all five decks.

Main Deck

Main saloon

Courtesy CRN

The overall design features symmetrical linear patterns, tactile textures, and bleached woodwork that’s carried throughout all the yacht’s interior spaces. In the main saloon, bleached oak cladding is used with the wood’s grain converging precisely in an uninterrupted continuum of lines. Custom made lintels and columns give an aristocratic appearance to the space, while a glass sliding door separates the main saloon from the forward guest areas. The saloon can also be transformed into a full-on cinema when a large screen and projector descends from the ceiling.

Ahhhh. The Spa.

Courtesy of CRN

Another noteworthy feature on the main deck is the spacious spa that’s equipped with a massage table, hair salon and a private bathroom in addition to the amazing views guests will enjoy from the fold-down balcony.

The six guest cabins are styled like the main saloon but different finishes to embellish each room. The walls are paneled in bleached oak, contrasting with the natural wood used for other areas.

One of six guest suites

Courtesy of CRN

In the guest cabins, where the AV system, lights and blinds are managed by a “Lutron” system controlled through iPads, the joinery between materials, edges and profiles has been kept to a bare minimum to create an atmosphere of harmonious and understated elegance. In the bathrooms, the pure white of the Calcutta marble on the floor contrasts with the depth of the emperor black marble; unit doors are made in dark oak, engraved with a circular pattern that is repeated on the glass shower doors and on the shower gratings.

Owner’s Deck

A view fit for a king in the Owners cabin

Courtesy of CRN

The private access to the owner’s deck consisting of approximately 4,300 square feet of space – leads directly into the media room. A particular design detail that is found here and across the owner’s level is the custom-made mixed white wool and silk carpet.

The details.

Courtesy of CRN

The mother-of-pearl details on the units create an interesting contrast against the pale oak, while the finish on the interior unit doors adds character to the room.

The upper saloon is a private owner space.

Courtesy of CRN

In the forward area, after the spacious walk-in wardrobes, is the owner’s suite, with its centerline king-size bed. The suite is decorated dark resin back-lit feature lights that create an intimate atmosphere and the marine-themed artwork. Of special note is the bas-relief decoration on the wall, with its leaf pattern engraved into the wood made by an Italian craftsman and woodworker.

Lower Deck

The boarding foyer

Courtesy of CRN

One of the embarkation points on CLOUD 9 is via the lower deck, where a boarding foyer awaits and an elevator connects this area with all other levels including the owner’s suite.

Towards the stern, aft of the engine room, two garages house two tenders and multiple water toys. The portside garage allows access to the water and opens onto a large sea-level platform. The large beach club comes complete with tables, sun loungers and a shower.

Upper Deck

An internal stairwell leads to the upper deck which houses a stylish open-plan saloon/dining area filled with natural light, featuring a mural depicting a tranquil sky scene.

A gym with a view

Courtesy of CRN

The fully-equipped gym has a marble bathroom and sliding floor to ceiling windows which open directly onto the deck.

Sun Deck

Beach Club

Courtesy of CRN

But no matter how amazing the interior design is, when it comes to enjoying the full benefits of owning or chartering a yacht like Cloud 9, the sun deck is where everyone wants to be. And the good news is, if you can’t afford the hundreds of millions it costs to build a yacht like this, you can charter it in the Caribbean this winter. Just contact Burgess Yachts. It’ll set you back $875,000 per week. But it’ll be worth every penny.